Budding script-writers with one eye on the next Hollywood blockbuster are being called on to hone their talents.

Wordsmiths of the future are being encouraged to sign up to a new course in Newcastle aimed at enabling them to turn their ideas into screenplays.

Northern Film & Media, the North East's movie makers and shakers and the Centre for Lifelong Learning, joined forces to host the course as part of a drive to boost the British film industry.

Over the 20-week course, dubbed Following the Script, the students will develop their ideas and turn them into proper film scripts.

Tom Harvey, chief executive of Northern Film & Media, said: "We're hopeful it will stimulate some real writing talent in the region. Northern Film & Media is committed to finding the talent of the future.

"This course is an ideal opportunity to unearth some stars, as well as offer support to people who want to start transforming their stories for the screen."

North East author Barry Stone, who wrote a play based on Geordie fundraiser Bic Hec, is tutoring the course and said: "This is an opportunity for both absolute beginners and more experienced writers. Although it will be hard work, Following The Script will be a lot of fun."

The UK Film Council commissioned Phil Parker, the author of The Art and Science of Screenwriting, to design the course pack.

People on the course could follow in the footsteps of Lee Hall, who grew up in Walkerville and wrote the script for smash hit Billy Elliot.

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais made their name with 70s sitcoms The Likely Lads and Porridge. Later they wrote Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, the film Still Crazy and overhauled scripts of Pearl Harbour.